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The announcement of fresh leads by Avon and Somerset Police comes as Melanie's parents say they fear they may not live to see her killer brought to justice, and hope the latest developments in the case will bring them the information they have waited so long for.

Melanie, 25, went missing in June 1996 after a night out at Cadillacs nightclub in Bath. Her body was found dumped by the side of the M5 near Bristol four years ago today, and no one has ever been convicted of the killing.

But police say they have recently uncovered "significant and very interesting" information, including the discovery of a Volkswagen Golf that is now being examined by forensic experts.

Officers have also been given information about the origin of a blue rope that was used to tie up Melanie's body.

Detective Superintendent Mike Courtiour, who is leading the murder inquiry, said: "We are working with forensic scientists in relation to the rope and the circumstances of where that particular length of rope came from.

"Also, we have recently found and recovered a car that may be relevant to events in 1996 when Melanie disappeared.

"It is a white, A-registered mark 1 Volkswagen Golf GTI cabriolet which is currently being examined by forensic scientists. At this stage we do not know if it is connected with the case, but it is a very interesting and possibly significant line of inquiry."

Melanie Hall (Pic:PA)

DS Courtiour, who stressed the investigation into Melanie's murder was "very much active", appealed for anyone with information about her disappearance to get in touch - a call that was echoed today by Melanie's older sister Dominique.

She said: "We have always been hopeful that someone would be brought to justice and that we would find out the details of what happened to Melanie.

"It won't make the future any different - there will never be closure for our family - but it would be a great consolation if someone would search their conscience and come forward to police with that vital information we need."

Melanie's dad Steve also said the new developments were encouraging, but spoke of his and his wife Pat's fears that they may not live to see their daughter's killer brought to justice.

Mr Hall, 69, said he had not realised how the murder had affected his wife until four years ago, when she clung on to her daughter's ashes.

He told the Bath Chronicle: "I had assumed we would scatter them somewhere but Pat has never brought herself to do that and I don't think she ever will.

"She has finally got her child back and Melanie sits in a box by the fireplace. To Pat, she is safe, she is home."

He said the police's latest breakthrough showed "gradually the pieces of the jigasw are being put together to bring Melanie's killers to justice".

He added: "We always knew it would take a long time, but these new developments appear very encouraging. It's time for whoever has information about Melanie's murder to come forward and bring this to an end - because it will come to an end eventually. The police won't give up until they get a result."